Record NFL draft in Dallas bodes well for Nashville's turn in 2019

The NFL has selected Nashville as the host for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Autumn Allison, USA TODAY NETWORK- Tennessee

Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. President and CEO Butch Spyridon, Mayor David Briley and Tennessee Titans Senior Vice President Stuart Spears pose for a photograph at 1st Ave and Broadway on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 after a press conference regarding the NFL’s announced that Nashville will host the 2019 NFL Draft.
(Photo: Shelley Mays)

The 2018 NFL draft, hosted by Dallas in April, generated $125 million for the Dallas region, a record number that indicates strong returns for Nashville in 2019.

Nashville will host the 2019 draft from April 25-27, a designation the NFL announced in May. Nashville tourism and city leaders said it will be the biggest media event in the city's recent history.

The Dallas draft broke the previous record of $100 million in economic impact and yielded $74 million in direct spending, according to a VisitDallas report released Monday, citing Destinations International calculations. The three-day event was held at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, marking the first year it took place at a stadium.

“The draft in Dallas once again raised the bar for host cities for what has become one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL senior vice president of events and club business development.

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Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. President and CEO Butch Spyridon, Mayor David Briley and Tennessee Titans Senior Vice President Stuart Spears address the media at First Avenue and Broadway on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, regarding the announcement that Nashville will host the 2019 NFL Draft. Shelley Mays/The Tennessean

Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. President and CEO Butch Spyridon, Mayor David Briley and Tennessee Titans Senior Vice President Stuart Spears pose for a photograph at 1st Ave and Broadway on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 after a press conference regarding the NFL’s announced that Nashville will host the 2019 NFL Draft.
Shelley Mays

Mayor David Briley talks the media at 1st Ave and Broadway on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. The National Football League has announced that Nashville will host the 2019 NFL Draft, which will take place April 25-27, 2019. Shelley Mays

Mayor David Briley talks with the media at 1st Ave and Broadway on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. The National Football League has announced that Nashville will host the 2019 NFL Draft, which will take place April 25-27, 2019. Shelley Mays

Tennessee Titans Senior Vice President Stuart Spears talks with the media at 1st Ave and Broadway on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. The National Football League has announced that Nashville will host the 2019 NFL Draft, which will take place April 25-27, 2019. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, in partnership with the Tennessee Titans, led the bid process for the NFL Draft on behalf of the city.
Shelley Mays

Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Mayor David Briley talk with the media at 1st Ave and Broadway on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. The National Football League has announced that Nashville will host the 2019 NFL Draft, which will take place April 25-27, 2019. Shelley Mays/The Tennessean

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The draft is a free football festival that has become one of the biggest sporting events of the year. More than 200,000 fans attended, according to the Dallas Sports Commission. The 2017 draft, held in Philadelphia, yielded $56.1 million in direct visitor spending and about 250,000 fans.

For years, the NFL Draft was a two-day event broadcast over cable television from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Five years ago, the NFL began hosting the event in other cities, including Chicago and Philadelphia. The draft draws about 45 million television and online viewers on four networks.

Nashville has not announced venues for the 2019 draft, but Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. CEO Butch Spyridon said he expected Lower Broadway, the Nissan Stadium parking lot, Ascend Amphitheater and the Music City Center to be included.

The event will coincide with the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Nashville, taking place on April 27, a logistical challenge that Spyridon has said the city can handle.

“Both Dallas and Philadelphia did a great job," Spyridon said. "It’s our job to raise the bar even higher. With our geographic location, the marathon and the free concerts we will add, we fully expect to exceed the Dallas impact numbers.”

The city is considering dedicating $1 million in tourism tax dollars to promote the draft, along with private fundraising.